Improperly Enticed By The Rascal Earl (Steamy Historical Regency Romance)

by Olivia Bennet

  They crossed into town as she struggled with her blossoming insecurities and continued on the main road toward the square. Lord Burrows wanted to show off his new barouche in a place where as many people would see it as possible. His vanity was truly stunning.

  Sophia suddenly grabbed Tabitha’s wrist.

  “Sister, do not look now, but your other gentleman approaches,” she whispered in Tabitha’s ear.

  Frowning, Tabitha gazed around, uncertain of who her sister meant. When her eyes fell on Lord Morrington riding toward them with Lord Habtage at his side, she gasped. What were the chances of her encountering him twice in one day? She could not believe her ill luck.

  Lord Burrows turned and spotted the approaching gentlemen. His expression darkened at the sight of them.

  “What an unfortunate turn of events,” he grumbled.

  Tabitha agreed, but likely felt that way for very different reasons. It was not that she was unhappy to see the gentleman again, but she was not keen on them spotting her in the company of Lord Burrows. For some reason, she did not want Lord Morrington in particular to get the wrong impression of them.

  Lord Morrington’s brow was arched as he and his friend drew near, and his jaw was noticeably tight.

  “Good day Lord Burrows. Miss Walters. Miss Sophia,” Lord Habtage greeted them as the gentlemen pulled their horses up next to the barouche. “A fine day for a ride, is it not?”

  “Indeed, My Lord, it is a fine day,” Sophia quickly agreed with a wide grin. “Are you two out enjoying some exercise? Or do you have a purpose that draws you to town?”

  “Just a small matter of business on behalf of the Duchess,” Lord Habtage answered.

  “Oh, yes, I had forgotten that you were a relation of the illustrious Duchess of Cantham.” Lord Burrows perked up, and his expression warmed considerably. Tabitha did not appreciate the two-faced nature he showed.

  “Sadly, I cannot make that claim,” Lord Habtage corrected with a polite smile. “Lord Morrington is Her Grace’s godson.”

  Lord Burrow’s face fell once more. “Indeed? How fortunate for you.”

  Lord Morrington turned his hard gaze to Lord Burrows. “I am most fortunate to have such a generous and loving figure as the Duchess to watch over me. A gentleman’s life can be quite improved by the presence of strong ladies, do you not think?”

  Lord Burrows appeared momentarily confused by the gentleman’s words. “That may be all well and good for a godmother, My Lord, but I personally believe it is better to have a lady who is obedient and soft spoken. Such a lady would likely cause fewer grievances for the gentleman around her.”

  “That is a very interesting opinion,” Lord Morrington murmured as he turned his eyes back to Tabitha. “What do you think, Miss Walters?”

  Her eyes widened. “Me?”

  He nodded. “Yes, you are a well-bred young lady of means and social standing. Which role do you believe more suiting for someone of your station?”

  Why is he asking me this? What is his point? Is he merely trying to upset Lord Burrows?

  If that were the case, she did not appreciate being used as a pawn in his game.

  Tilting her chin, she made her tone icy as she replied, “You will have to forgive me, My Lord, but I do not think my opinion is needed in this, and I would hate for your time to be wasted on such a subject. We really should be on our way, should we not, Lord Burrows?”

  The gentleman turned to her, looking surprised that she had addressed him. She arched her brows and gazed at him expectantly. Blinking rapidly, he nodded.

  “Yes, um, you are quite right, Miss Walters. We should not dawdle, lest we incense the Baron.”

  “A pity we could not talk more,” Lord Habtage said in his pleasant tone.

  “Yes, a true pity,” Lord Morrington agreed, though there was a rough edge to his voice that made his displeasure clear.

  She boldly met his gaze. “A pleasure as always, Lord Morrington.”

  “A pleasure, Miss Walters.”

  The barouche jerked into motion the next moment, but she did not tear her eyes from his until her vehicle turned around the block, and he disappeared from sight.

  Chapter 18

  The rest of the week flew by far too quickly for Tabitha’s liking, and before she knew it, it was very early Sunday morning. Lords Habtage, Burrows, and Morrington were expected within the hour, and she was dreading their visit even more so than she had dreaded the previous week’s. She had not encountered Lord Morrington since their unfortunate run-in in town, and she was not certain if she was angry with him or not.

  Once Lord Burrows had returned her and Sophia home, and she had some time to cool her head, she wondered if she had perhaps acted too harshly. She had latched onto her assumptions that he had been trying to use her to get to Lord Burrows, and in truth, she had no proof that that had been the case. Her temper had gotten the better of her, once again, and she had assumed the worst of the gentleman.

  Yet, she was not so sure that was fair to him. He had wanted her opinion, after all, on a subject that truly did warrant a lady’s insight. How many gentlemen did she know that would value her thoughts?

  But I painted him as the villain in my mind once more, and leapt to conclusions about his motives. Why do I continue to do that with him?

  “Tabitha? Are you all right? You seem very far away.”

  Tabitha turned to smile at Sophia, who was standing next to her in the kitchen. The sisters were assisting their cook, Mrs. Garvin, in preparing the picnic they would enjoy after the hunt. Tabitha and Sophia had been given the tasks of preparing vegetables for the meat pies that the cook planned to make. Unity, who was handier that her sisters in the kitchen, was preparing fruit tarts under Mrs. Garvin’s instruction.

  “Apologies,” Tabitha said with a grin, returning her attention to the carrots she was chopping. “I suppose I just lost myself in thought for a moment.”

  “You have been doing that quite a lot, lately,” Sophia pointed out before turning her gaze back to her potatoes. “What has you so distracted, I wonder?”

  Tabitha did not answer. She could not admit that Lord Morrington was the source of her diversion, not even to her sisters.

  “You ladies are such generous souls to offer to help me,” Mrs. Garvin gushed. “Truly, it is not necessary.”

  “Now, now, Mrs. Garvin, we insist,” Unity replied with a smile as she prepared apples for her tarts. “We do not often host such a group here at home, and we do not want you to feel overwhelmed with the work. Besides, Tabitha and Sophia are so helpless in the kitchen, it would do them good to pick up a few skills here and there.”

  Sophia shot Unity a glare and snapped, “We cannot all be as perfect as you, sister dear.”

  Unity grinned and shot their youngest sister a wink. “You are so very right about that.”

  Tabitha laughed as Sophia’s face turned a deep shade of red.

  “That is enough, now,” she said at last, laying on hand on Sophia’s shoulder before she charged across the room toward Unity. “We are of no use to Mrs. Garvin if we are squabbling.”

  Sophia stuck out her tongue at Unity but turned back to her potatoes without protest.

  “Now, when the gentlemen arrive, we will be expected to greet them,” Tabitha said. “We will see them off, and then join them with the picnic shortly after noon.

  “I wish we could join them on the hunt,” Sophia pouted.

  “Papa does not allow us anywhere near his rifles,” Unity reminded her. “Besides, a hunt is no place for a young lady. It is far too violent of an exercise, and you would not enjoy watching the poor animals meet their deaths.”

  Sophia wrinkled her nose and glanced toward her second eldest sister. “I suppose you are right. I do not think I would enjoy that. I would just want to go to enjoy the company of Lord Morrington and Habtage.”

  “Not Lord Burrows?” Tabitha teased.

  Sophia rolled her eyes. “Dear me, no. That barouche ride early in the
week was painful enough. I think I could go quite a long time without spending another moment in his presence, and be perfectly happy.”

  “Sophia, do not be rude,” Unity chided.

  “I would not say that where he could hear me,” their youngest sister explained, defensive.

  “All the same, you should mind your tongue. If you become too used to saying such things, they might accidently slip out when the gentleman is around you.”

  “That is true,” Tabitha agreed.

  Sophia released a sigh of frustration. “You both are too kind and considerate of Lord Burrows. After the things he has said to you, Tabitha, I am surprised you continue to treat him with any type of civility.”

  “I would not wish to embarrass Papa by acting in a foolish or spiteful way,” she replied with all honesty. “Even if I dislike Lord Burrows, I cannot be rude to him.”

  “Besides, I am afraid of what he might do to you if you were rude,” Unity added.

  Frowning, Tabitha turned her gaze to her sister. “What do you mean by that?”

  Unity’s eyes were wide, and she shrugged. “Are you not a little bit afraid of him?”

  Tabitha shook her head. “No. He is aggravating and inconsiderate, but I do not believe him capable of doing us any real harm.”

  Unity appeared incredulous. “Then you are far more trusting than I.”

  Which was strange, given that between them, Unity was the one who tended to see the best in people from the start. Tabitha was far more cynical when it came to judging the characters of others.

  As I have been with Lord Morrington. Am I being too trusting of Lord Burrows?

  She considered the possibility of him doing something to hurt her, and just could not see it happening. He was so weak looking, with his reedy frame. He did not look like he possessed the strength to hurt a fly, let alone another person. Plus, he was far too eager to please her, though he had no idea how to do so, and he was far too caught up in his own ego to ever believe she truly did not want him.

  No, Lord Burrows was harmless. Annoying, but harmless.

  Except for that time he grabbed me.

  Tabitha pushed the memory from her mind. He had been upset, and he had not actually hurt her. She would not inflate things out of proportion.

  “You are being silly, Unity,” Tabitha insisted. “Lord Burrows is a nuisance, but one that buzzes instead of bites.”

  “I am sure you are right,” Unity conceded, though Tabitha did not really think she had been swayed. “Regardless, I doubt he would do anything untoward with the other gentlemen present.”

  “I wonder what Lord Morrington thinks of him,” Sophia mused out loud.

  Tabitha turned toward her with a narrowed brow. “What do you mean? Why would Lord Morrington think anything of him?”

  Sophia gazed up at her with a shrewd gaze. “Well, do you not think he suspects you are attached to Lord Burrows in some way? He did not appear pleased to find us riding with the gentleman the other day.”

  “You exaggerate. Lord Morrington would not give the matter any real thought.”

  Sophia rolled her eyes. “Of course he would! He likes you, that much is clear. I would not be surprised if he is jealous of Lord Burrows because he believes you two are a match.”

  Could that be true? Could Lord Morrington possibly be jealous? She thought back to the day she and Sophia had gone for their ride with Lord Burrows. Lord Morrington had not appeared pleased, as Sophia had said, but Tabitha had assumed it had more to do with his general dislike of Lord Burrows than with her. Yet, what if he disliked Lord Burrows because he was actually jealous?

  Why does that possibility make my heart flutter?

  Her thoughts were interrupted when a maid suddenly appeared at the door.

  “Excuse me, Misses? The Baron is requesting your presence in the front hall. Your guests are riding up the drive.”

  Tabitha released a deep breath and laid her knife on the counter. She untied the apron she wore and folded it quickly. Sophia and Unity followed suit.

  “We are sorry to abandon you like this, Mrs. Garvin,” Unity said as the sisters hurried toward the kitchen door.

  “Not at all, Miss!” the cook called after them.

  Tabitha led her sisters through the house toward the front door, where their papa was waiting for them, dressed in his hunting clothes.

  “Ah! There you are, my darlings,” he greeted them with a wide smile. “Are you ready for the day ahead?”

  Sophia and Unity both nodded their heads.

  “Yes, we are, Papa,” Unity said with a wide smile. Tabitha glanced toward her sister and saw excitement shining in her gaze.

  Is her anticipation intensified by the promise of Lord Habtage’s arrival?

  No doubt, given how much Unity seemed to like him. Tabitha was still not ready to give her wholehearted approval of the gentleman. Today’s visit was an opportunity for her to learn more about him, and she determined to keep a watchful eye on him as much as possible.

  “Tabitha? Darling? Are you well?” her papa asked with a frown. “You appear less than pleased about something.”

  Tabitha blinked, surprised that she had let her tumultuous emotions show in her expression. She quickly but on a smile and shook her head.

  “Oh! I am sorry, Papa. I did not mean to seem upset in any way. I was just lost in thought.”

  He regarded her for several moments more, but then grinned.

  “That is good to hear.” He raised a hand toward the door. “Shall we go out, my darlings? Our guests should be coming up to the door as we speak.”

  Like a row of obedient ducklings, Tabitha and her sisters followed their papa out onto the drive to greet the gentleman, just as they had the previous weekend. Tabitha was not sure what she should expect from this visit. She had not seen Lord Morrington since he had come upon her in Lord Burrows’s barouche. What if her sisters were right, and he had been jealous?

  What would he say to her?

  What should she say to him?

  Should I explain the truth of the matter? Will that only make things awkward?

  She supposed it would depend on how he initially approached her. As she and her family came to a stop, she let her eyes wander down the drive to watch as all three gentlemen approached on horseback. She felt her cheeks flush when her eyes landed on Lord Morrington. He was as handsome as ever, possibly more dashing in his hunting attire, and her heart raced. She frowned, however, when she realized he was avoiding looking at her in turn.

  Releasing a deep breath, she worried her bottom lip with her teeth. The closer he came, the more details of his face she could make out. Though his expression was polite, his jaw was tight. His smile was not as wide as Lord Habtage’s, or even Lord Burrows’s, who was riding just beside them.

  Is he truly upset? It was such a simple misunderstanding.

  As the gentlemen reached them and dismounted, Lord Morrington continued to keep his gaze turned from her. Her belly twisted with anxiety. She may not have determined what his true character was yet, but she did not want him to hate her. It was a strange, overwhelming fear that she could not quite explain, even to herself.

  I just know I do not deserve his dislike. I have done nothing wrong.

  Yes, that was it. She was simply concerned about his perception of her character.

  “Welcome back, My Lords,” her father greeted the gentlemen as they approached. “I am so happy to have you all back so soon.”

  All three gentlemen bowed, but it was Lord Habtage who was the first to return the Baron’s friendly words.

  “Lord Morrington and myself are very happy to be back as well, My Lord. Ladies, it is very good to see you all again.” He turned to the sisters to incline his head politely. Tabitha did not miss when his eyes briefly jumped toward Unity, but he returned his attention to the Baron so quickly, she doubted anyone else had noticed. “You are a most gracious host, and we enjoyed our time very much last Sunday.”

  “I enjoyed my ti
me in your home as well, My Lord,” Lord Burrows added eagerly. His gaze swept toward Tabitha and lingered. It made her uncomfortable how he stared at her so blatantly in front of her papa. “I am very much looking forward to today.”

  “Yes, well,” the Baron’s voice did not sound as jovial as when he addressed Lord Habtage. “It is good to see you once again as well, Lord Burrows.”

  If Lord Burrows noticed her papa’s shift in demeanor when he spoke to him, the gentleman gave no indication of it.